Queen Cersei looked as cold and aloof as she always did after celebrations at which King Robert was seen openly flirting with whores, so it was nothing new to Talia or her sister Emily, but they were still cautious since she seemed more angry than usual. They worked as quickly as they could getting her out of her gown and into the chemise she slept in, undoing her hair from it's latest style and combing it till it shone in soft waves. She sent them away when they were done and her twin brother asked for an audience with her, and they were only too happy to obey. Talia's eyes met Jaime's, and for a brief moment she thought he looked like a caged animal who wasn't sure whether to be docile or to attack, and then his face was once more an unreadable mask.
She thought about that all the way to Emily's room, which was around the same size as Talia's, only there was no stone wall to be seen save near the mirror, for Emily's artwork adorned every other section but that one. Talia admired her sister's talent that exceeded her own and was a bit jealous of it, just as Emily was envious of Talia's better singing voice, so they balanced each other out. Talia had been nearly a year old when Emily had been born, so they had been close their whole lives, most mistaking them for twins at first sight. They did look a lot alike in features, but Talia had her father's smile and her mother's hair, while Emily had her father's hair and everything else was their mother's. Pushing all those thoughts away, Talia told her sister all about her conversation with the new Hand, and her impressions of the grave man who was a northerner to the core.
"You're sure he can be trusted?" Emily's brow creased, looking a tad uncertain.
"Yes." Talia's hushed tone was resolute, taking her sister's hand in hers and giving it a squeeze. She understood why Emily was worried, it was hard to know who to believe in King's Landing with all the gilded tongues that knew exactly what to say. But from what Talia had seen of Eddard, he was just like his foster father.
Emily's hand tightened around hers, taking comfort in it. "Very well, I will trust in your judgement. It has never led us astray before."
"Thank you, little sister. Now for the love of the seven faces of god, get some sleep." Talia stood and kissed Emily's brow affectionately.
"I will." Emily promised with a wry smile. "I love you, Talia."
"And I love you, Emily. Sleep well." She stepped out, shutting the door quietly behind her as she caught sight of Eddard Stark standing there in the hallway, looking rather sheepish at being caught eavesdropping. She pulled him out of sight into a small cove where they wouldn't be immediately seen if someone just glanced their way. She and Jon had spoke in this little spot many a time. "How much did you hear?"
"Enough to know you trust me." Eddard's eyes bored into hers. "My only question is why?"
Talia's lips twitched as she drew the unicorn from it's hiding spot in her bosom and cradled it in a hand, missing Jon afresh. If she had a son, she would name him after that beloved man. "The same reason you trust me, I reckon."
Eddard's face was a stoic mask, but she had been around northern men long enough to see the look in his eyes that told her she was right. "I never said I trusted you, Talia."
"No," she mused with a hint of a smile, "but you don't have to any more than I do. Get some sleep, Lord Stark. Tomorrow's going to be long enough without lack of rest."
He looked like he wanted to say something, but decided not to and the openness in him vanished. "You as well, Lady Brax." He gave her a half bow, then disappeared down a hall.
Talia's heart ached, knowing there was nothing she could do for him at the moment. She walked to her room, slipping inside and shutting the door behind her. She stripped down to the shift she usually slept in, slowly undoing her hair from it's pinned style, and brushing out all the kinks. By the time this was finished, her eyes felt heavy and she yawned, sliding into bed.
Morning rays of light seeped into her window, causing her to wake from her dreams of happier days as a child. She sat up slowly, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. She yawned as her feet slid to the cool stone floor, the castle quiet all around her. This was her favorite time of day, feeling the beginning of sunshine that was not too hot or cold, promising that if you looked for it, you could find something good in your day. Those things were getting harder and harder to find, Talia noticed. Winter was indeed coming, though most southerners denied this and would continue to do so until it was actually upon them. She washed her face with water as she thought of this, the last vestiges of her grogginess disappearing as she dabbed away the liquid. She picked out a gown which would bring out her eyes, just finishing up the ties on the bodice when the bell in her room rang, telling her that Cersei was awake and wanted to be attended.
She rushed there, meeting her sister halfway in the same state of ready for the day, and yet not, their long hair as of yet unbound. They entered the Queen's chambers and bowed to her, ignoring her quipped comments about their improper hair, helping her get herself beautiful. When she was satisfied enough to excuse them, they retreated as hastily as was polite to Emily's room, which was closer than Talia's. There, with hushed giggles they pinned each other's hair into lovely fashions of the south, making sure to sober up before heading out to break their fast. She was not surprised to see the Starks already awake and sitting at the table, a respectful ways down the table from Cersei and her children. The king of course was no doubt still in bed, as he usually was after such revelry, and would most likely not be seen till mid-day.
Jaime joined them as he usually did, dark circles under his eyes that no one commented on, nor did anyone seem to notice that he barely touched his food. When his green eyes met Talia's blue ones, his lips twitched as if he were saying: "Observant little girl, aren't you?" Talia knew better than to look at him after that, letting her eyes wander to Eddard and his children, then her sister beside her, and lastly Ser Barristan who stood at the end of the dinning hall as he always did, their silent protector. Nowhere in all the Seven Kingdoms could you find a more loyal and honest man to be Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, at least not in the opinion of many in King's Landing. She had to resist smiling at the memory of her sister Emily's crush on the knight when they'd first arrived, which Talia had promised to never speak of to anyone.
Emily had done a good job not making it obvious, because of course all Kingsguards take a vow to not have a wife or father children, and therefore nothing could come of her infatuation with the elderly warrior. Kingsguards were not normally known to take lovers, for the risk of breaking their oaths was too great with such actions, except perhaps with other men—which was rumored to happen in the brotherhood—, so women always ended up pining for naught no matter what the circumstance. Talia felt bad for her sister's sake, though she knew Emily would find someone else to fawn over eventually. There were plenty of younger, available men taking their places in the world, though Talia could not honestly say any of them would ever be as bold as Ser Barristan was known to be.
After they had eaten their fill, Talia and Emily rose with the Queen, who invited Sansa—the eldest Stark girl—to join them in the sitting room, an offer that was accepted with great enthusiasm. Walking the short distance to the cool, mostly shaded area where comfortable seats, instruments, and artistic materials had been set up for the pleasure of the ruling monarchs' wives and all those they wished to join them. Songs, music, and some needlework entertained them until it was time for lunch, which was brought to them as it always was and they partook of it out on the veranda, the sunlight pleasantly warm at this time of day. Once refreshed, they returned to the cool room and resumed their needlework. A little later, they went for a walk through the gardens, returning greetings to all they passed along the way.
Upon returning to the sitting room, Talia worked on a painting as Emily told a story, the two elements weaving together perfectly as often happened. Sansa looked truly enthralled, which was a nice change as opposed to Cersei's polite, detached air whenever it came to displaying of talents that the Seven had blessed other people with, and yet showing what you were really feeling was a dangerous thing down in the south, especially in King's Landing. The sun set as dinner time arrived, and they all adjourned to the great hall which was now teeming with the members of the court. A minstrel played ballads, there was lively talk all around the long tables, and everyone seemed in excellent spirits. Talia exchanged a glance with Emily, a silent agreement passing between them that this good mood would not last long at all. It never did.
